Cellulite is completely normal and natural, however, not everyone is comfortable flaunting theirs and that’s okay. Although it’s almost impossible to completely get rid of cellulite once you have it (unless you go the surgical route), there are ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite so you can feel confident in your favourite summer outfits. From drinking plenty of water, to dry brushing, using self tanner, and more, here’s how to hide cellulite.
What Causes Cellulite?
Cellulite is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin. This can give the skin a dimpled or lumpy appearance, and it’s most common around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Some people are more predisposed to it than others, and while the appearance of cellulite tends to worsen as you gain weight, it can also affect those who are thin. The most common contributing factors to cellulite include:
- Skin structure (weak collagen, leading to thinning and loss of elasticity)
- Hormonal fluctuations (specifically estrogen and cortisol)
- Genetic factors
- Age
- Poor diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Fluid retention
- Dehydration
- Lack of circulation
Is It Possible to Get Rid of Cellulite?
You can’t completely get rid of cellulite once you have it, however you can reduce its appearance through exercise, diet, creams, and treatments. There’s no quick fix, but there are ways to hide cellulite through a few products and lifestyle changes.
How to Hide Cellulite: 9 Tips and Hacks
1. Drink Lots of Water
Staying hydrated can help hide cellulite as it can improve the texture of your skin, reducing dimples and dents. Water also helps the body get rid of excess fat cells. Fluid retention can contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Since water retention is often caused by dehydration, it’s important to get plenty of filtered water and avoid food and drink with excessive salts, sugars or alcohol.
2. Proper Nutrition
Good nutrition isn’t just about losing weight- healthy food also keeps your skin and connective tissues stronger and more supple. Focus on foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein. Avoid foods including foods high in sugar and salt, refined flour and grain products, and processed and packaged foods. A healthy diet can also lower inflammation and prevent water retention, which could lessen the appearance of cellulite.
3. Exercise
Exercise can help keep body fat levels lower, improve circulation, keep skin and connective tissues healthier, and improve muscle tone in cellulite-prone areas. Aerobic exercise and endurance training have been found to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Interval training (which incorporates short bursts of exercise with rests in between) is also effective as it adds muscle and helps you tone over all. Interval training combined with resistance training is one of the best things you can do to boost your metabolism, add muscle, reduce the appearance of cellulite.
4. Try a Caffeine Cream
Topical caffeine creams like the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream can dehydrate fat cells in your skin so they temporarily flatten, making your cellulite look less visible. Caffeine can smooth, tighten, and firm your skin, causing it to look plump and lifted. Many creams with caffeine also include soothing ingredients like coconut oil, squalane, and shea butter, which leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
5. Apply Self Tanner
Self tanner can help camouflage dimply skin and evens out the appearance of bumpy skin. It gives the illusion of smoother, softer, and leaner skin, which can help you feel more confident in shorts, dresses and tank tops. To disguise cellulite, apply a layer of self tanner to your problem areas, then follow up a few hours later with a full body layer of tanner.
6. Dry Brushing
Dry brushing your skin can boost circulation and lymphatic drainage. It improves the skin’s appearance by removing dead, dull skin cells and revealing healthy skin cells. It can also help reduce the appearance of cellulite, however, keep in mind that this is temporary. Having increased blood flow causes vasodilation (this is where your capillaries widen, and cause an increased amount of blood flow in the area). This causes a temporary plumping effect, making your cellulite less visible.
7. Wear Shapewear
If you’re worried your cellulite will show through your clothes, one of the best things to do is to wear shapewear. Most body shapers cover your thigh area up over your stomach, so if you have cellulite in these areas, it will cover it. Shapewear can make you feel more comfortable and confident, and will also slim you out.
8. Choose Light and Airy Fabrics
If you’re nervous about your cellulite showing, steer clear of tight fitting fabrics and opt for lighter fabrics that won’t cling to your skin. Just make sure the clothes aren’t too loose as that can make you look bigger than you are.
9. Consume More Collagen
Connective tissue is composed of collagen, so when the skin is strong, cellulite appearance is minimal. Collagen is needed for skin’s elasticity, youthful texture, and strength. There are a number of ways to consume collagen, including collagen powder, collagen supplements, and bone broth. Bone broth contains the amino acids proline and glycine that make up collagen, as well as essential minerals and antioxidants. The collagen in bone broth can help strengthen skin tissue and reverse underlying causes of cellulite.
Almost everyone has cellulite, so it’s nothing to be ashamed of, but if you want to hide and minimize it from time to time, we hope you love these tips!
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